... a promise I have made to myself!!!
San Jose, Costa Rica to Limon, Costa Rica
Wake up call 5:30AM, ready for the transportation at 7:00AM. The car showed up, I think it's for me, but not sure, no wording on the vehicle, and the driver is just staring at me with a troubled look. He has a piece of paper with my name on it, he says "you come, we go Limon". As I look at his car, I think, will I ever see my family and friends again, or will someone find me hacked up in the jungle? But I am on an adventure, so I am going to have to trust him!!
Then I step into a 30 year old VW van, and find a family of 5 looking at me in wonder. I have 2 suitcases, backpack, and a computer bag. No one seems to speak English, but I have my trusty little translation book with me in the hopes I can communicate. My theory is that if I smile, hug, and say Hola, all will be well. The family is from Venezuela out on a day trip from San Jose to Limon, and surrounding area, I am the hitchhiker.
As I settle in, to a seat that will reduce my back to needing to be reattached at the end of the day, we are off.
The drive seemed to be us cutting our way through the jungle, actually it is a rain forest, with volcano activity in the distance for us to see. Banana and Pineapple plantations were large, the fruit all had blue bags on them. Someone tries to explain this keeps the bugs out.
Along the road to Limon were many car service garages, with pictures on the outside walls showing whale tail Porsches as the advertisements. I happen to know a lot of Porsche people, no way they would pull into these garages unless they were on crack, but then none would be driving on this road either.
We saw semi's passing on the road that was barely 2 lanes, strange thing no accidents!
I would never have survived their driving regulations, toll both, and then we got pulled over by the police for what I think was the driver going over the line when he shouldn't have, however there are no lines on the roads so how would you know!!! The police gave the driver a ticket, after getting a translation, he could have given the policeman $150. cash or a ticket for $300. The driver of course said he has never had a ticket before, so took the ticket. (note picture taken as proof).
This is common practice according to the Venezuelan family in Latin American countries, just because we do not do it, does not mean that it is wrong. The culture here you must respect all of it. None of us inside the vehicle were asked for money, or to contribute to the ticket.
As we continue on, it is common place for someone to just slightly pull off the road, get out and admire the habitat. Some pictures might look light just trees however, laying on the branches are what is called SLOW BEAR (we call them SLOTHS), they don’t move for hours on end, and if they do it is by inches. Then a snake came by, and I went back to the vehicle. Not interested in taking pictures of it, or seeing it!!!
We stopped along the way for a break, my back said thank you, as the vehicle has no shocks, and the roads are full of pot holes, this van is one step above the chicken bus. I will never complain about our potholes again!!!
The scenery is overwhelmingly beautiful, and lush, the poverty is everywhere, we are so blessed. It is not my fault I was born in a rich country, and not their fault for being born in a third world country.
Whoever suggested I rent a car and drive to Limon was crazy and on crack. Something that I have forgotten to say is that whomever suggested I rent a car in San Jose at the airport, and drive to downtown San Jose, then to Limon is absolutely on CRACK. I would never have survived, I know my limitations!!!
Wake up call 5:30AM, ready for the transportation at 7:00AM. The car showed up, I think it's for me, but not sure, no wording on the vehicle, and the driver is just staring at me with a troubled look. He has a piece of paper with my name on it, he says "you come, we go Limon". As I look at his car, I think, will I ever see my family and friends again, or will someone find me hacked up in the jungle? But I am on an adventure, so I am going to have to trust him!!
Then I step into a 30 year old VW van, and find a family of 5 looking at me in wonder. I have 2 suitcases, backpack, and a computer bag. No one seems to speak English, but I have my trusty little translation book with me in the hopes I can communicate. My theory is that if I smile, hug, and say Hola, all will be well. The family is from Venezuela out on a day trip from San Jose to Limon, and surrounding area, I am the hitchhiker.
As I settle in, to a seat that will reduce my back to needing to be reattached at the end of the day, we are off.
The drive seemed to be us cutting our way through the jungle, actually it is a rain forest, with volcano activity in the distance for us to see. Banana and Pineapple plantations were large, the fruit all had blue bags on them. Someone tries to explain this keeps the bugs out.
Along the road to Limon were many car service garages, with pictures on the outside walls showing whale tail Porsches as the advertisements. I happen to know a lot of Porsche people, no way they would pull into these garages unless they were on crack, but then none would be driving on this road either.
We saw semi's passing on the road that was barely 2 lanes, strange thing no accidents!
I would never have survived their driving regulations, toll both, and then we got pulled over by the police for what I think was the driver going over the line when he shouldn't have, however there are no lines on the roads so how would you know!!! The police gave the driver a ticket, after getting a translation, he could have given the policeman $150. cash or a ticket for $300. The driver of course said he has never had a ticket before, so took the ticket. (note picture taken as proof).
This is common practice according to the Venezuelan family in Latin American countries, just because we do not do it, does not mean that it is wrong. The culture here you must respect all of it. None of us inside the vehicle were asked for money, or to contribute to the ticket.
As we continue on, it is common place for someone to just slightly pull off the road, get out and admire the habitat. Some pictures might look light just trees however, laying on the branches are what is called SLOW BEAR (we call them SLOTHS), they don’t move for hours on end, and if they do it is by inches. Then a snake came by, and I went back to the vehicle. Not interested in taking pictures of it, or seeing it!!!
We stopped along the way for a break, my back said thank you, as the vehicle has no shocks, and the roads are full of pot holes, this van is one step above the chicken bus. I will never complain about our potholes again!!!
The scenery is overwhelmingly beautiful, and lush, the poverty is everywhere, we are so blessed. It is not my fault I was born in a rich country, and not their fault for being born in a third world country.
Whoever suggested I rent a car and drive to Limon was crazy and on crack. Something that I have forgotten to say is that whomever suggested I rent a car in San Jose at the airport, and drive to downtown San Jose, then to Limon is absolutely on CRACK. I would never have survived, I know my limitations!!!
The car ride was $50. yes in USA dollars, and took 4 hours to reach Limon, a 105 mile trip, the chicken bus was going to take 8 hours.
The family from Venezuela instruct the driver to contact my hotel Hotel Playa Westfalia, www.hotelplayawestfalia.com and I will be taken right to the door, this is very kind of them.
The hotel is on the beach, and at this point I don’t mind paying the $95. a night, the room is in gold, and blue colours which I love, the bathroom mirror has a snail tile at the top of it, to remind me of the Mad Mollusk Racing Team.
The family from Venezuela instruct the driver to contact my hotel Hotel Playa Westfalia, www.hotelplayawestfalia.com and I will be taken right to the door, this is very kind of them.
The hotel is on the beach, and at this point I don’t mind paying the $95. a night, the room is in gold, and blue colours which I love, the bathroom mirror has a snail tile at the top of it, to remind me of the Mad Mollusk Racing Team.
Caribbean Sea is gorgeous, warm, waves are soothing.
I am sitting in the beach restaurant at the hotel looking at the sea. Don’t worry I have already put my legs in the water. The swimming pool behind me with its hot tub, lively Spanish music, and the waiter who is jail bait does not speak english, sign language and my translation book work wonders.
I am sitting in the beach restaurant at the hotel looking at the sea. Don’t worry I have already put my legs in the water. The swimming pool behind me with its hot tub, lively Spanish music, and the waiter who is jail bait does not speak english, sign language and my translation book work wonders.
Dinner was a dish about 3 inches by 3 inches by 3 inches of rice, ham, shrimp, tomatoes, interesting, and very good. It came with french fries a bit overdone. When the bill was presented he said $50.00USD, I just about had a heart attack, I asked again he said $50.00, OK, pay bill, and realize that when you eat breakfast for free in the morning, try to take a doggie bag for the rest of the day. He saw how shocked I was, and then he showed me the bill, it said $15.00USD, I said you have been saying $50.00 we all had a great laugh, I paid the $15. and left!!!!
I should have come years ago to such a place, the memories, the people, the relaxation are awesome. I am overwhelmed by everything. Oh did I mention they have a spa here, and I guess I will force myself to have one or two massages while here. Home feels like a million miles away, I am so blessed to have this opportunity. I will come back.
Then after dinner I walked on the beach for a while.
I should have come years ago to such a place, the memories, the people, the relaxation are awesome. I am overwhelmed by everything. Oh did I mention they have a spa here, and I guess I will force myself to have one or two massages while here. Home feels like a million miles away, I am so blessed to have this opportunity. I will come back.
Then after dinner I walked on the beach for a while.
Tomorrow will be the beginning of another adventure, going into Limon city to try to get on the Sorlandant Tall Ship to surprise my nieces Heather and Sarah who are onboard with Class Afloat, www.classafloat.com yes that is a yellow flag on the ship, you'll have to wait for the next story about it!!!
Hugs always
Karen and Charlie
